The 2019 summer camp season has now come to a close and our team is reflecting on this past season. We have an immense amount of gratitude for our staff, the communities in which we operate, camp families, and kids that all took part in Avid4 Adventure programming this summer. It took an unbelievable amount of effort to run quality programming for the over 18,000 participants we served this summer and we could not have done it without the support from all of you. From staff training to Thursday evening phone calls to morning group circles and closing ceremonies, from cabin life to camping in the back country to parent's day and everything else in between, we wish to give a heartfelt THANK YOU to our vibrant and growing community.

Helping Kids Stay Active Outside Year Round

Does outdoor adventure have to end after the summer camp season is over? No! In fact, the adventure is just beginning. Summer camp can help your child to learn skills and feel excited about getting outside. However, that doesn’t mean it all has to end once August rolls around. In fact, the adventure is only beginning for your child and with endless possibilities for exploration all year long. Here then are some thoughts for helping kids stay active outdoors after summer camp.

“Why” Avid4 Adventure?

I walked into my college’s semi-annual job fair looking for just that—a summer job. Instead, I walked out with an overwhelming sense of joy, a feeling of community, a new family. Avid4 Adventure, I learned, was not only a great company, but had core values which I believed in, values I knew I’d be proud and capable to teach and pass on. The two staff members working the job fair table were so sincere at explaining those values and the positive work environment that had grown from the company’s staff culture that I knew I was where I belonged.

Kids Overcoming Fear: Inspiring Outdoor Adventures that Will Give You Goosebumps

Take a moment to think back on your childhood. Remember those long summer days when your greatest concern was getting back home before dusk? Your main responsibilities consisted of making sure your room was clean and helping with chores around the house every once in awhile. Ok, now that you've successfully time-traveled, think about a time when you were faced with a decision to overcome a childhood fear when trying something new. Maybe you were a little nervous at first or maybe even flat out terrified to step outside of your comfort zone. After some encouragement (or persistent convincing) from a friend or relative, you finally built up enough courage to get on that bicycle, jump into the deep end of that pool or try that weird, new food. Afterwards, you felt like you were on top of the world and nothing could stop you (ok, maybe not after you tried brussels sprouts for the first time but you get the point)!